Lindsey Ferguson ’10 Hanson is the perfect example of what is means to live out your passions and life calling. Having graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Performance and Choreography, Ferguson is now living in New York City working as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and actor. She is passionate about the work she does and is deeply dedicated to spreading joy through her work.
Hanson’s professional career began her sophomore year at Hope when she was hired for her first TV role where she appeared in “Come On Over,” a children’s television show produced by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. This job introduced her to Koyalee Chanda who was the director for her next job on “Sesame Street.” Since then, Hanson has appeared in other TV shows including “America’s Got Talent” and most recently, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” She has also been in Broadway Productions, commercials and films.
While at Hope College Hanson was devoted to her studies and made the most of the education that Hope provided her. She was a member of various dance student groups including Dance Department Professional Club, Hip Hop Club, Swing Club and Sacred Dance. She also served on the Theatre and Dance Production teams. In addition to her involvement on Hope’s campus, Hanson spent a semester off campus at the New York Arts Program, a program aimed to help student artists explore their career options. This experience gave her a taste of what it’s like to live and work in New York City as a performer.
She has a love for teaching dance to the next generation of dancers. Since graduation, Hanson has been back to campus numerous times as a guest speaker and master class instructor in the Dance Department. She is an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University where she is currently also working on a Masters Degree of Fine Arts. She hopes to one day be a full time teacher and choreographer.
When Hanson is not on dancing on Broadway, choreographing ballets, or getting a masters degree, she is volunteering. Hanson shared at the 10 Under 10 Young Alumni Panel that her faith was transformed at Hope College and she has taken that with her in her career and life beyond Hope. She volunteers at local charities in New York. Her faith is important to her and she is trying to spread the love of Christ wherever she goes around New York City.
“My Christian faith has been the anchor of my hope in a place that can sometimes feel so far from God’s Kingdom…As I work in and out of NYC, I strive to maintain Hope’s vision of being a leader in my community, bringing hope and positive change to those around me. I’m here to make a difference in my community—pressing on to be the hands and feet of Christ–backstage, in the audition room, on the subway, in Times Square, or on my neighborhood block.”
Hope College is proud to give Lindsey Ferguson ’10 Hanson the 2019 10 Under 10 Award. The “10 Under 10 Awards” honor emerging leaders who are making significant contributions by living out their callings; engaged in the local and global community through professional and/or volunteer involvement; and use their education to think about important issues with wisdom and clarity, communicate effectively to bridge boundaries that divide human communities and act as agents of hope living faithfully into their vocations. Designed for alumni who are within 10 years of graduation, they are presented by the Hope College Alumni Association. Make a nomination today!